Tendulkar also ruled out of third Test

Ahmedabad, April 5 (IANS) The Indian team Saturday suffered a major blow ahead of the third Test against South Africa at Kanpur with Sachin Tendulkar ruled out of the match due to an aggravating groin injury. Tendulkar, who missed the second Test here after suffering a groin injury during the drawn first Test in Chennai, will not be available for selection for the Kanpur Test starting April 11, said Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah said.

“Sachin Tendulkar will be unavailable for selection for the third Test match due to his right groin injury,” Shah said in a statement.

“Sachin’s recovery is in progress but he has not recovered sufficiently to be available for the match. This decision has been taken to give Sachin the opportunity to make a full recovery. His rehabilitation programme will be monitored closely,” he added.

Mohammed Kaif was called in as Sachin’s replacement for the second Test here and a decision to retain him for the next match will be taken by the selectors later.

India is struggling to survive the ongoing second Test here and this development will be a major blow to their chances in the third Test.

The selectors will pick the squad for the Kanpur Test after the end of second Test match.